LOCAL SHELTERS FORCED TO MAKE CHANGES TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE. ALEJANDRA: FRIDAY MORNING, THE FIRST POSITIVE CASE CONFIRMED IN OUR AREA. >> WE’RE ARRANGING FOR HIS DISCHARGE TO ISOLATION LATER TODAY. ALEJANDRA: DAN STRAUGHAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE, SAYS THEY ALSO HAVE ONE PRESUMED POSITIVE CASE. ARRANGING ISOLATION FOR SOMEONE WITH NO PLACE TO GO CAN BE TOUGH, BUT THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE IS WORKING ON ALTERNATIVES. >> A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE’RE DOING, WE’RE WORKING WITH GRACE RESCUE MISSION AND CITY RESCUE MISSION TO STAND UP SOME ALTERNATIVE CARE SHELTERS. THOSE SHOULD BE UP NEXT WEEK ALEJANDRA: THE ALLIANCE HAS HAD TO CHANGE THE WAY THEY OPERATE AMID THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK. THAT INCLUDES CLOSING THEIR DAY SHELTER, WHICH SERVES UP TO 350 PEOPLE A DAY. >> BUT WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT MANY OF THE FOLKS THAT WE SERVE THROUGH THE DAY SHELTER, THAT’S THEIR ONLY ACCESS TO MEALS, TO MAIL AND THAT SORT OF THING. ALEJANDRA: IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO HELP, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS ALWAYS WELCOME, BUT YOU CAN ARRANGE FOR A MEET UP TO DONATE ITEMS. SHELTERS ARE LOOKING FOR THINGS LIKE, MASKS, HAND SANITIZER, AND DISINFECTING WIPES. WHAT THEY’RE NOT ACCEPTING RIGHT NOW IS CLOTHI

With the first confirmed COVID-19 case among Oklahoma City’s homeless population, shelters are wondering how to help this vulnerable community during the pandemic. The homeless are among the most vulnerable to contracting the virus. “We’re arranging for his discharge and isolation later today,” Dan Straughan, executive director of the Homeless Alliance, said of the first positive case, which was confirmed Friday. Straughan said there also is a presumed positive case among the homeless population. Arranging isolation for someone with no place to go can be tough, he said, but the Homeless Alliance is working on alternatives. "A couple of things that we're doing, we're working with Grace Rescue Mission and City Rescue Mission to stand up some alternative care shelters. Those should be up next week,” Straughan said. The alliance has had to change how it operates amid the outbreak. It had to close its day shelter, which serves up to 350 people a day and is a lifeline to many homeless."But we also recognize that many of the folks that we serve through the day shelter, that's their only access to meals, to mail and that sort of thing , so we're providing meals on a grab-and-go basis,” Straughan said. Also, outreach efforts have increased on the street level, allowing delivery of food, water, hygiene products and information to those without a shelter. But this has been an emotional time for those who help the homeless. "I mean nobody comes to work at the Homeless Alliance to get rich; they're here to serve,” Straughan said. The alliance is accepting financial contributions and donations of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. It is not accepting clothing at this time.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

With the first confirmed COVID-19 case among Oklahoma City’s homeless population, shelters are wondering how to help this vulnerable community during the pandemic.

The homeless are among the most vulnerable to contracting the virus.

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“We’re arranging for his discharge and isolation later today,” Dan Straughan, executive director of the Homeless Alliance, said of the first positive case, which was confirmed Friday.

Straughan said there also is a presumed positive case among the homeless population.

Arranging isolation for someone with no place to go can be tough, he said, but the Homeless Alliance is working on alternatives.

"A couple of things that we're doing, we're working with Grace Rescue Mission and City Rescue Mission to stand up some alternative care shelters. Those should be up next week,” Straughan said.

The alliance has had to change how it operates amid the outbreak. It had to close its day shelter, which serves up to 350 people a day and is a lifeline to many homeless.

"But we also recognize that many of the folks that we serve through the day shelter, that's their only access to meals, to mail and that sort of thing , so we're providing meals on a grab-and-go basis,” Straughan said.

Also, outreach efforts have increased on the street level, allowing delivery of food, water, hygiene products and information to those without a shelter.

But this has been an emotional time for those who help the homeless.

"I mean nobody comes to work at the Homeless Alliance to get rich; they're here to serve,” Straughan said.

The alliance is accepting financial contributions and donations of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. It is not accepting clothing at this time.